Shree, with her wet hair draped in a yellow sari, exuded a radiant glow after her shower. As she was carefully pleating the sari, Madhav, wearing only a pair of shorts, woke up and couldn't help but smile at the vision before him.

Madhav, feeling flirty, approached Shree and hugged her from behind. "Good morning, beautiful," he whispered into her ear, trying to steal a kiss. Shree, playful as ever, dodged his advances and giggled, initiating a delightful chase around the room.

Running like a couple of carefree spirits, Madhav eventually caught Shree's arm, causing her to stop abruptly. Playfully pulled into each other's embrace, they tumbled onto the bed. Shree found herself on top of Madhav, and a mischievous smile played on her lips as he gently caressed her face.

Madhav, looking up at Shree, teased, "Caught you," and Shree responded with a sweet laugh. "Well, it seems you did," she replied, her eyes sparkling with love.

Madhav, captivated by Shree's giggles, couldn't resist planting a gentle kiss on her cheek, causing her to giggle even more. In response, Shree swatted his hand playfully, and Madhav, with a teasing grin, asked, "Why the swatting, my love?"

Shree, looking mischievous, suggested, "Go a little down and kiss me on the jaw." Madhav, always eager to oblige, followed her request and planted a soft kiss on her jaw. The playful banter continued as Shree asked him to venture further down.

"Go a little lower and kiss my neck," she whispered, her eyes filled with anticipation. Madhav, with a charming smile, complied, leaving tender kisses on her neck. The atmosphere between them grew more intimate as Shree, feeling bold, encouraged him to go even further.

Madhav, intrigued by her playful demeanor, continued kissing down until he reached the delicate curve of her cleavage.

Shree, caught in the passionate embrace, tightly held onto Madhav's arm as he continued to plant kisses on her cleavage. The roughness of his beard against her delicate skin sent a shiver down her spine, and she couldn't help but let out a soft, lingering moan. Shree spoke no words as she began to unbutton the blouse she wore.

Sensing her pleasure, Madhav, with a hint of desire in his eyes, gently grabbed her soft little waist. His touch was both tender and possessive as he explored the contours of her waist. Leaning in, he pressed more kisses, this time on her waist, causing a cascade of sensations.

* * * * *

Three Weeks Later...

Under the warm embrace of a bright Saturday afternoon, Shree walked purposefully towards the bus stop, the anticipation of a hospital visit lingering in her thoughts. In a sudden burst of energy, Sharan noticed her and hastened to catch up.

"Hey, where are you going?" he called out, matching his steps with hers.

Shree, turning to face him, revealed her destination. "I'm going to the hospital for a checkup."

Eagerly, Sharan suggested, "Can I come with you?"

Shree, pausing for a moment, politely shook her head.

"Which hospital are you going to?"

"Ummm, the near the bank?"

Sharan, shaking his head with a gentle smile, interjected, "I know a good hospital. Let me take you there."

As Sharan and Shree walked towards the hospital, he felt a tensed atmosphere hung in the air.

"Have you decided on a name?" Sharan asked, attempting to steer the conversation.

"I'm not sure," Shree confessed, her gaze fixed on the ground. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Sharan, offering a glimmer of support, suggested, "Do you want some thoughtful name suggestions?" The words lingered, but Shree, with a solemn shake of her head, hinted at a more profound struggle.

Abruptly halting their steps, Sharan locked eyes with her, his concern etched on his face. "What is wrong?" he pressed, his voice carrying a weight of urgency.

In a moment charged with unspoken truths, Shree divulged, "I don't want the baby." Shock rippled across Sharan's features, and he questioned, "What? Why?"

Shree, her eyes reflecting a turbulent mix of emotions, revealed, "I always thought Madhav would be there when I was pregnant." Cutting through her words, Sharan asserted, "I am here for you."

Yet, Shree, resolute in her decision, stated, "I appreciate that, but I've made up my mind. I don't want Madhav or the baby that will remind me of him since he is the father." The weight of her words lingered, the intensity of the moment altering the course of their shared journey.

"Do you want to abort the baby just because you're angry at Madhav?"

Shree, unyielding, responded firmly. "Yes, and you have no say on what I should do with my body!"

"Shree, I won't influence or control your choices when it comes to your body. It's your body, and it's your choices."

Sharan, gently holding her hand, urged her to reconsider. "Do you really want to abort the innocent unborn baby because of Madhav being an irresponsible husband?"

Shree nodded.

Sharan gently withdrew his hand, stating, "I'm not saying you have to keep this baby, you should have at least one good reason apart from Madhav being irresponsible and that you cant raise a child by yourself. I know you are capable and that you have all the support of doing it. Shree, I won't take you to the hospital. I'm going back to the university."

Sharan walked away with a sense of frustration. Shree stood watching him.

"Sharan, please don't go!" She called out to him. As they faced each other, the air thick with unspoken emotions.

"If you meant what you said," Shree began, "if you will keep your word to be with me and support raising the baby..."

Sharan interrupted her, and nodded affirmatively. "I was serious when I said that," he assured her.

Shree smiled and whispered, "I want to keep the baby."

A genuine smile broke across Sharan's face, and he reached for her hand, their fingers entwining.

"I'm happy to know that," Sharan admitted.

"Shall we go to the hospital for a checkup?" Sharan suggested.

"But Sharan, I decided to keep the baby."

Sharan chuckled, "I meant for a checkup, my dear."

Shree smiled in response.

As he held her hand, a subtle yet palpable connection between them, they walked together towards the hospital.

In the midst of their shared journey, Sharan, his touch warm and comforting, asked, "Have you thought of a name for the baby?"

Shree, with a contemplative expression, replied, "For a boy, Siddharth."

Sharan, intrigued, continued, "And for a girl?"

Shree shrugged.

"Madhushree." Sharan suggested.

A soft smile formed on her lips. "I love that name."

"Then, I hope and pray for us to have a baby girl with your eyes and your smile." Sharan whispers.

* * * * *

"Please lay down, Ms. Prasad," the nurse instructed, guiding Shree and Sharan into the ultrasound room. "Your doctor will be here in a few minutes."

Shree settled onto the reclining seat, making herself comfortable.

"Hello, Ms. Prasad!" greeted the fair Doctor Hannah Knight. "I'm Dr. Knight, and I'll be conducting your checkup. Get yourself comfortable while I get the machines up and running."

"So, let's get started?" Hannah inquired, taking the file to note down Shree's details. "How far along are you, Shree?"

"I guess around 6 weeks," Shree replied.

"That's great, and is this the father of the child?" Hannah asked.

"Yes, I'm Sharan Sivakumar," Sharan boldly introduced himself, surprising Shree.

"That's great. Take good care of your wife since this is her first pregnancy!" Hannah advised, and Sharan grinned at Shree.

Sharan nods at Dr. Knight. "Don't worry, I'll take care of my wife, as a good husband."

Dr. Knight applied some gel to Shree's abdomen, then picked up the ultrasound device from the stand. She switched it on and took the ultrasound transducer in her hand. Pressing the ultrasound transducer gently against Shree's abdomen, Hannah moved it around. With a motion of her hand, she directed Shree to look at the small speck on the screen. "And there's your baby. A tiny little pebble - for now. Everything looks good, and let's hope when I see you next month that we get a slightly bigger visual of the foetus."

As Shree watched the small speck on the screen, her mind was still processing the unexpected introduction Sharan had made. Once the ultrasound was complete, they stepped out into the hospital car park. The sky, now tinged with the hues of dusk, began to drizzle lightly.

Feeling a mix of emotions, Shree decided it was time to address the issue that bothered her. She cornered Sharan, her frustration palpable. "Why did you say 'husband' in there?" she questioned him, the raindrops adding a sense of urgency to the moment.

Sharan, seemingly unperturbed, tried to diffuse the tension. "Hey, chill, Shree. It's not a big deal," he suggested.

But Shree, her voice rising with each word, retorted, "I can't chill! You just told the doctor we are a couple!" The rain intensified, mirroring the turmoil within her.

"Why are you okay with the baby being called ours, but not with me calling myself your husband?" Sharan asked, genuinely puzzled.

Shree, her frustration reaching its peak, shouted back, "Because you're not my husband!"

In the midst of the rain and heated exchange, Sharan looked at Shree, realizing the depth of her discomfort. With a sincerity that cut through the tension, he apologized, "I'm sorry, Shree. I didn't mean to upset you. Let's talk about it calmly, okay?"

In the midst of the drizzle and fading light, a wave of realization washed over Shree. She gently held Sharan's arm. "I'm sorry for yelling," she confessed, her tone softening. "I got startled because I was expecting you to be silent," she explained, a hint of vulnerability in her voice.

Sharan, understanding, responded, "It's okay. I didn't mean to startle you. I wish I had asked before assuming."

Shree nodded, acknowledging his sincerity.

The rain continued to fall around them, a symbolic cleansing of the tension that had momentarily risen between them.

Shree and Sharan found themselves walking in the drizzle without an umbrella. As they approached the university, the gentle drizzle turned into a heavy rain, accompanied by flashes of lightning.

Reacting quickly, Sharan reached for Shree's hand, and together they sprinted towards the staff accommodation.

"Stay in my accommodation until the rain stops. The student accommodation is on the other side of the campus. It's not safe in this storm and you'll catch a cold."

Sharan inserted the key to unlock his door, having draped his jacket around her, but Shree was still shivering. Shree was completely drenched and so was he. The rain poured heavily, leaving them both soaked.

Seeking immediate warmth, Shree wanted to get out of her wet clothes. Sharan held the door open, and she hurriedly removed her heels, stepping onto the warm rug by the couch.

"Wait here, Shree. I'll get you a towel, and you can jump into a hot shower," Sharan suggested, heading to the bedroom. Meanwhile, Shree noticed Sharan stealing quick glances at her.

As Sharan approached her with a towel, he caught her looking around. "Here you go, jump in the shower quick!"

"Thank you, Sharan! I won't be long!" She rushed to the bathroom.

Sharan waited until the bathroom door closed behind her. He quickly went to his room and changed to a shirt and a pair of shorts. Afterwards, he went to the Kitchen and began to boil some hot water and started making hot chocolate.

Placing a mug on the counter for her, Sharan saw Shree emerging from the bathroom, wrapped in the white towel he had provided as she stealthily tiptoed towards Sharan's room. Her damp hair, tousled and dark, framed her face like a cascade of silken strands.

The fresh scent of the shower lingered around her, adding a touch of enchantment to the air. As she stepped into the room, the subdued lighting accentuated the contours of her form, leaving a soft, ethereal glow.

She was a captivating sight, causing Sharan to almost spill his coffee. His gaze lingered longer than usual, watching the water droplets slide from her collarbone, disappearing between her perfectly hidden bosom.

Interrupting his own gaze, Sharan asked looking down at the floor. "Shree? All good?"

"Yes! I'm good. I put my wet clothes and undergarments in the dryer and I'm looking for something to wear. Sharan, do you have anything I could borrow?"

"I don't have many options for women in my closet!" he chuckled.

"Yeah, you don't say!"

Shree leaned in for a whiff of the scent on his t-shirts. She always enjoyed his scent and the way he stood close to her. This proximity, however, was different. Unbeknownst to her, she got goosebumps, breathing slightly heavier than usual.

"Guess I'll have to stick to this!" She said to herself and got dressed in his black t-shirt and a pair of shorts.

She came out the bedroom. "Hey I picked this shirt, I hope you don't mind!"

Sharan almost dropped his jaw down at what just walked out his bedroom,  wearing one of his t-shirts. Sharan realised he was staring for too long and spoke before it was too late.

"Hey, it's okay, it looks better on you than me to be honest!"

"Thank you!" She smiled while tucking a frill of her hair behind her ear.

Sharan then spoke, "Oh sorry! Here's your hot chocolate, it's very chilly today isn't it? "

Shreya took a hold of the mug and sat down by the couch beside him. 

"Yeah it is, but I don't mind it, actually I quite like it!" She wrapped her cold hands around the hot chocolate mug and took a sip. There was short silence while they were both sat quite close together and having sips of their warm beverages. The sounds of the rain filled the silence in the room.

Shree broke the silence. "I'll probably head back to my place once the rain subsides."

Sharan nodded. "Take your time, Shree. It's pouring out there. Did you let Olivera know you might be a bit late?"

"Yes, I did. She's aware. Thanks for the hot chocolate, by the way. It was really nice."

"Anytime, Shree. I'm glad you enjoyed it. If you need anything else, just let me know."

Sharan, sensing a subtle chill in the air, gently inches closer to Shree.

"Feeling cold, Shree?"

Shree, wrapped in Sharan's oversized t-shirt and shorts, smiles and shakes her head.

Sharan, his eyes reflecting admiration, softly says "You look breathtakingly beautiful in my clothes, Shree."

A delicate blush graces Shree's cheeks as she replies with a sincere, "Thank you." 

Sharan, with a nod of agreement, confessed his deep appreciation for true art; in a tender moment, he inched even closer, pressing a sweet kiss to Shree's forehead. The raindrops outside seemed to harmonize with the beating of their hearts.

Shree, savoring the romantic atmosphere, closed her eyes, her lips forming a soft smile. With a gentle request, she asked for another kiss. Sharan complied, this time placing a tender kiss on her cheek, a gesture of affection that unfolded like a carefully composed melody.

She asked for one more, and Sharan willingly obliged, each kiss leaving an imprint of their shared emotions. Shree's smile grew, a reflection of the affectionate dance between them.

Once more, she playfully requested another kiss, and with a swift yet tender motion, Sharan planted a kiss on her lips. 

In the intimate cocoon of the living room, Shree playfully whispered to Sharan, "You stole my first kiss."

Sharan, feigning innocence, questioned with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "First kiss?"

Shree, nodding with a playful smile, responded, "Mhmm."

Sharan, with a chuckle, remarked, "I'm probably your 1000th kiss then."

Shree couldn't resist a playful hit to his shoulder, and Sharan laughed, his laughter echoing in the cozy space. In a playful banter, he teasingly requested, "Well, why don't you return the favor then?"

Shree, quick to oblige, leaned in, placing a swift yet sweet kiss on his lips. Sharan, ever the charmer, expressed his gratitude.

"Thanks."

"For what, Sharan?"

"For kissing me."

"Thank me again, then!"

Shree's smile deepened, and she decided to turn the playful moment into something more profound. She leaned in once more, savoring the connection as their lips met in a more lingering and passionate kiss. 

* * * * *

Shree groaned as the ray of sunlight fell on her  face. She stretched her arm and tried to grab her phone from the bedside table.

She turned to the other side as she realised her phone was on the other side. Her nose was only a few inches away from Sharan's. She gasped.

To be continued....